Chante JVR

⭐️⭐️✨

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice tries to recapture the magic of its 1988 predecessor, but much like saying the name three times, it feels like an attempt to summon something that’s better left in the past. While the film offers glimpses of Tim Burton’s signature style and Michael Keaton’s iconic Beetlejuice energy, it ultimately struggles to balance nostalgia with originality.

The Story:

Set decades after the events of the original, the film brings Beetlejuice back into the lives of a new generation of characters. While the setup promises zany fun, the plot quickly becomes bogged down in recycled jokes and uneven pacing, leaving the story feeling less like a fresh haunting and more like a tired séance.

What Works:

• Michael Keaton’s Return: Keaton’s Beetlejuice is still as chaotic and entertaining as ever. He injects life (or afterlife?) into every scene he’s in, carrying the film on his striped shoulders.
• Visuals and Aesthetic: Burton’s trademark quirky, gothic style shines in some moments, with creative set designs and playful special effects that evoke the charm of the original.
• Nostalgia Factor: For fans of the first film, seeing familiar faces and callbacks can be a delight, even if they’re overused.

What Doesn’t Work:

• Weak Script: The humour often feels forced, with many jokes relying on tired references to the original rather than carving out something new. There are also many sub-plots that scramble to be tied together by the end.
• Underdeveloped Characters: The new cast struggles to stand out, overshadowed by Keaton’s larger-than-life performance. They feel more like placeholders than fully realized characters.
• Pacing Issues: The film drags in parts, with a middle section that feels like it’s just treading water until the climax.
• Overreliance on Nostalgia: While callbacks can be fun, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice leans too heavily on the past without offering enough fresh ideas to justify its existence.

Final Thoughts:

While Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has moments of fun and flair, it ultimately feels like a pale shadow of the original.

Would I recommend it? Eh… there’s worse ways to spend 105 minutes. Otherwise, you’re better off just rewatching the 1988 classic.